What's the "Network"?

Above is a typical social network map [social graph]. It shows the connections amongst various members of an on-line social network [OSN]. Based on data gathering methods, originally developed by academics in the field of social network analysis, this is what most social network maps look like -- a focus on the largest connected component.

Yet, is that everything? Is that the whole community or just the obvious part? Maybe there is more? Are people attracted to the core community, but not yet connected to it? Are people interested in the network, but still lurking around the edges -- waiting for an intro/invite or opportunity to step forward?

Maybe our social networks, er... spaces, look more like the image below? Notice that the map above[red nodes] is only a small portion of the map below[red/green/blue nodes].


This social graph is taken from an actual on-line community that reveals active, semi active, passive and dormant members. Think about social networks and communities you belong to... Is everyone connected to everyone else [by some path]? Or, are their part-time members? Observers from the outside? Sympathizers? Spies? Passive supporters? Orbiting clusters?

IMHO, all of our networks are like the later picture, with very fuzzy borders and overlap with other social spaces. Maybe this question: "Is Z in X's network or Y's network?" does not make sense. Maybe the answer is "Yes!" We are all in multiple networks in multiple ways with multiple strengths of membership. Welcome to the Social Space... you have been here all along! Like fish may not be aware of water, we may not be aware of the fuzzy/overlapping/interacting social circles/clouds/clusters we are all embedded in and floating around in.

Enjoy the self-organizing serendipity of who you will bump into next!

UPDATE: Maybe the name of this post should have been "What's the Graph?" The hot term in 2007 is "Social Graph".